Standards and standardisation of mass media publications

A dangerous trend towards monopolistic practice is emerging through the rampant commercialization and sensationalism in the mass media. In such a scenario the expected journalistic standards on the part of the media regarding their social responsibility have become a strong debating point. This has put a question mark on the media's ability to fulfil the social responsibilities expected from them in the public sphere. The mass media in their conduct are expected to take into account public interests including freedom of publication, diversity in information, culture and opinion, support for the democratic political system, support for public order and security of the state, quality of information disseminated to the public, respect for human rights and avoiding harm to individuals and the society. The principle that media have certain obligations to the society requires the mass media to be fair, objective, relevant and truthful. While enjoying the freedom of the press the practice of self-regulation should be adopted by adhering to the professional code of conduct and ethics that too within the ambit of the law of the land. To achieve these goals the mass media have to adopt some established standards and maintained. Hence, the standardisation of mass media publications becomes significant.